How To Upgrade Your PSP

The PlayStation Portable has revolutionized the world of gaming. Also called PSP, this handheld game console has taken the world of computer games by storm. It is a multifunctional device that allows users to not only play games, but also watch videos, listen to their favorite music and it stores pictures as well! Moreover, it also offers superior Internet functionality.

PSP firmware ensures the smooth running of every PSP. This firmware forms the core operating system of the device and furthermore accentuates its performance. In essence, if a person wants to upgrade the Portable PlayStation, he/she needs to update the existing firmware. This can be done in a myriad of ways. The foremost amongst them is the process of direct download over a Wi-Fi connection. Another procedure that can be used is downloading it to the PC and then transferring it to the PSP using a USB cable or a Memory Stick.

It is very important to note, that in order to upgrade the PSP, you need to download firmware updates that correspond to the specific region. This is recommended by the manufacturer (Sony). New and improved upgrades that are available in the market make for a complete entertainment experience. The latest version that is available in the market is 2.81. This PSP upgrade gives users many features that provide a whole new dimension to the usage of PSP. One of the features is a forward/go back option for a movie that allows the users to go to any part of the movie. Improved audio options and 4:3 screen mode will also go a long way in enhancing the usage of the device.

The process of upgrading comes with a few essential requirements. If you are looking to upgrade using the services of the PC then you must have prerequisites like, a PSP with a battery pack, a minimum of 20 MB of free space on the Memory Stick, and a good Internet connection. You can also use a USB cable instead of the memory stick. Once you download the upgrade on the PC, the next step would be to transfer the firmware upgrade onto the PSP. This can be done using the USB cable or the memory stick. Users must insert the cable of the Memory stick in the PSP and start updating. For this, users are required to select the appropriate option from the home menu and then press the required button to start upgrading. At times, the whole process will get confusing, if you have not differentiated the various folders on the memory stick or the PC. The best way to avoid this is by storing the downloaded firmware in an aptly named folder.

A word of caution: Store the data in the correct location. If not, then there is a chance that the PSP system will not identify the data that is updated. Also, make sure that the battery is fully charged before use. Furthermore, an AC adaptor must connect the PSP to an electricity point. While upgrading the PSP, there must be no stoppages in the process. If the upgrade stops midway, it might just damage the PSP.

Upgrading you existing PSP is very easy. A person with a limited knowledge of using a PC can accomplish this task successfully. It is of paramount importance that you upgrade the PSP on a regular basis. As new games with better graphics enter the market, you must make your PSP compatible for the same But, this is not restricted to games alone. Videos, and music demand better picture and sound quality respectively. This can only be achieved by getting new and better upgrades for your PSP.

As can be seen, upgrading a PSP is a procedure that is both easy and necessary. So what are you waiting for, if you need it, go get it!

Dylan Graves is an intense PSP fanatic. You can find out more on how to pimp out your PSP at PSP Blender

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Downgrade Your PSP

Downgrade your PSP easily and safely. If you wish to downgrade your PSP, this may be very possible. There are only a few versions right now that you cannot downgrade. If you currently own a PSP that is over version 3.03 then, unfortunately, you cannot downgrade (at the time of writing).

The good news is that if you own a PSP under 3.03, you can downgrade to 1.50. Now what's so good about 1.50? Well, for one, it lets us play games, known as homebrew. These homebrew games are made by programmers for the PSP and are readily available to download to your PSP legally. In addition to being able to play homebrew games, we can also download emulators which let us play a range of "old school" games from other consoles like Nintendo Game Boy, Sega Master system, Atari, and even one for the Nintendo 64 (plus a stack more).

Aside from the thousands of games w can play with a downgraded PSP, you can also download homebrew applications, these applications let you do a wide variety of things with your PSP such as turn your PSP into a Universal Remote Control, Wi-fi Sniffer (lets you find wireless networks in your area), GPS and you can even stream media over the Internet through your Wi-Fi receiver on to your PSP.This is why many people make the decision to downgrade their PSP.

You should consider purchasing a bigger memory stick if you decide to downgrade your PSP, currently when you purchase a PSP, you are usually given a 32 MB memory stick, which is not a lot of room and if you really want to make the most of your PSP I would recommend you purchasing a 256 MB, 512 MB, 1 GB, 2 GB or even the recently released 4 GB memory stick for your PSP. Obviously, the bigger your memory stick, the more games, applications and DVD’s you can place on your memory stick.

To downgrade your PSP you really only need a couple of things. Firstly, you need a mini USB cable to connect your PSP to your computer. Secondly, you need the correct downgrader to run and install the correct files on to your PSP.

Be very careful, when downgrading your PSP and make sure you follow the instructions exactly as they are presented. If you do not, the chances are you will brick your PSP (brick meaning, render it useless). It also goes without saying that if you try to downgrade your PSP with the wrong installer, e.g. using a 2.8 downgrader and your PSP is a 2.6, this will also brick your PSP.

While some people may think that downgrading their PSP is not worth the risk. I for one feel it is. Downgrading my PSP has changed it from the average run-of-the-mill PSP to a fully functional multimedia centre. I no longer have to purchase games if I want to as there are hundreds if not thousands of homebrew games that I can legally download and play, I can also back up my entire DVD collection and watch them on my PSP, and my favourite,change the TV channels with my PSP while everyone wonders who the hell keeps changing the channels, doesn't it sound enticing?

I suggest you downgrade your PSP today, you won't regret it and you'll never look back.

Terry Dunn is webmaster of http://www.PspVideoGuide.com, the only resource online that shows you step by step using video how to turn your Psp into a fantastic multimedia centre.

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Where To Go For PSP Downloads

The PlayStation Portable by Sony is a personal entertainment device which comes with network capabilities. Unlike the very popular Apple iPod this particular device comes with a WiFi system built in to it. So no matter where you are as long as you are close to an internet hotspot or network (including your home one) you will be able to connect to the internet using your PSP. As soon as your internet connection has been made you can then begin to start getting PSP downloads from various sites on the web that offer such facilities. But what does kinds of sites should one be looking for when trying to obtain downloads for the PSP. In this article we take a look at these sites and what they can offer you.

A quick search of the internet and you will be amazed at the number of websites which are now offering you the chance to download music, movies, videos and games for your PSP. Yet which ones you choose to use depends on how much money you are willing to spend. Yes there are sites out there that can offer you downloads for free, but in a large number of cases these are completely illegal and could end up costing you a whole lot more than a membership fee. Certainly in recent months we have seen an increase in the various companies trying to prevent such sites from being able to provide downloads for free and in some cases has resulted in people being fined.

Therefore if you want to make sure that you don't end up in the same situation as some others who have been caught downloading illegally the other option open to you is to join a membership fee paying site. There are sites which offer you a membership that you need to pay them monthly or yearly. Whilst there are other sites which require you to make a one off payment and this then provides you with a lifetime membership. One such site that offers such a membership is called "PSP Blender". Which once you become a member offers you access to download unlimited amounts of files from their databases. The only problem you may incur is that you won't have enough space available on your PSP to download these files to, because there are so many to choose from.

Certainly over many other membership download sites, those like PSP Blender which offer a lifetime membership of a vast array of benefits. Below we will take a look at just what some of these benefits are.

1. Once the membership has been registered and the fee paid you are then able to download anything you want from the sites databases. Also you can download any software that you may need in order to get these files on to your PSP and all are completely free.

2. Every download you make from this website on to your PSP is complete as well as being totally free to download. Where as some sites only allow you to download part and then require to pay a further fee in order to download the full version.

3. As soon as you have registered and payment made for the lifetime membership to sites such as PSP Blender you will find that you do not need to make any further payments to them. But what you will get is unlimited and unmetered access to everything that is held in their sites databases. So all you need to do now is connect to the site and start searching for what it is you wish to download.

Therefore when looking for PSP Downloads that are not going to cost you large sums of money it would be wise to take a closer look at a lifetime membership site the likes of PSP Blender. As you will soon find out they offer a wide array of music, videos, movies, TV shows and games in their databases which will help to ensure that you get the maximum out of your Sony Play Station Portable.

At IT PSP we offer you the latest news and information on this popular portable console. But if you want to learn more about some of the best PSP download sites then click on Download Site Reviews

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